
USEA's Power Sector Podcast
The USEA Power Sector Podcast is bringing new voices and new ideas to key energy system conversations in 15-minute interviews targeting urgently needed solutions. Topics will range from when, where, and how generation and transmission should be expanded to what resources and technologies are needed to ensure distribution systems remain reliable.
The podcast is airing the voices of those building and implementing tomorrow’s energy system and of the policymakers who, in response to consumer demand, are setting the goals for a renewed power sector. It will also feature regular check-in
Latest episodes

Jan 14, 2025 • 19min
USEA Power Sector Podcast Episode 104: Connecticut Office of Consumer Counsel head Claire Coleman
In today’s USEA Power Sector Podcast, Claire Coleman, head of Connecticut’s Office of Consumer Counsel, answered questions by journalist Herman K. Trabish about Connecticut’s process for moving its utilities to performance-based regulation, a new business model which rewards the utilities for achieving public policy goals instead of for investing in infrastructure.

Jan 9, 2025 • 20min
USEA Power Sector Podcast Episode 103: United Illuminating Director of Regulatory Affairs Ted Novicki
Ted Novicki, Director of Regulatory Affairs at United Illuminating and adjunct professor in Public Utility Management, dives into Connecticut's shift to performance-based regulation. He discusses how this new model rewards utilities for achieving public policy goals rather than infrastructure investments. The conversation also covers the challenges of stakeholder engagement, communication gaps, and the complexities faced by companies under the evolving regulatory framework. Novicki’s insights offer a unique look at how utilities can adapt while balancing performance and customer satisfaction.

Jan 7, 2025 • 20min
USEA Power Sector Podcast Episode 102: Citizen’s Utility Board of Illinois General Counsel Eric DeBellis
In today’s USEA Power Sector Podcast, Eric DeBellis, General Counsel for the Citizen’s Utility Board of Illinois, answered questions by journalist Herman K. Trabish about the consumer advocate’s perspective on the emergence of and continued development of performance-based regulation in Illinois.

Jan 2, 2025 • 22min
USEA Power Sector Podcast Episode 101: Sealed VP of Policy Dave Kolata
In today’s USEA Power Sector Podcast, Dave Kolata, VP of Policy for energy efficiency provider Sealed and formerly the executive director of Illinois consumer advocate the Citizens Utility Board, answered questions by journalist Herman K. Trabish about the private sector’s perspective on the emergence of and continued development of performance-based regulations for utilities in Illinois.

Dec 11, 2024 • 25min
USEA Power Sector Podcast Episode 100: GridStrategies Vice President John D. Wilson
In today’s USEA Power Sector Podcast, John D. Wilson, Vice President with policy and energy consultant GridStrategies answered questions by journalist Herman K. Trabish about findings in his just-released paper, now the talk of the energy world, on the magnitude and drivers of the surging U.S. demand for electricity. This episode closes out our 2024, but we’ll be back to thrive in 2025. We are very grateful to our listeners for taking the time to check out the USEA Power Sector Podcast. Keep on subscribing, liking, following, and sharing with everybody you know our quest for energy transition solutions.

Dec 5, 2024 • 18min
USEA Power Sector Podcast Episode 99: Ulupono Initiative President Murray Clay
In today’s USEA Power Sector Podcast, Murray Clay, President of Hawaii’s clean energy-focused Ulupono Initiative an advocacy and impact-investment firm answered questions by journalist Herman K. Trabish about Hawaii’s performance-based regulation, probably the most advanced and far-reaching change in the regulation of a US electric utility in a century.

Dec 3, 2024 • 19min
USEA Power Sector Podcast Episode 98: Hawaii Natural Energy Institute Faculty Energy Specialist Jennifer Potter
In today’s USEA Power Sector Podcast, Jennifer Potter, a former commissioner with the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission and now a Faculty Energy Specialist with the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute answered questions by journalist Herman K. Trabish about Hawaii’s performance-based regulation, probably the most advanced and far-reaching change in a US electric utility’s regulation and business model in a century.

Nov 26, 2024 • 24min
USEA Power Sector Podcast Episode 97: Rabago Energy Principal Karl Rabago
In today’s USEA Power Sector Podcast, Rabago Energy Principal Karl Rabago, who has served as a DOE Deputy Assistant Secretary and as a Commissioner with the Public Utilities Commission of Texas, answered questions by journalist Herman K. Trabish about the emerging national momentum toward performance-based regulation and why PBR is an important step in reforming the utility business model to meet 21st century clean energy and climate policy goals.

Nov 21, 2024 • 18min
USEA Power Sector Podcast Episode 96: Regulatory Assistance Project Senior Associate Mark LeBel
In today’s USEA Power Sector Podcast, Regulatory Assistance Project Senior Associate Mark LeBel answered questions by journalist Herman K. Trabish about the emerging national momentum toward Performance-Based Regulation and why PBR is important as a means to reform the utility business model to meet 21st century clean energy and climate policy goals.

Nov 19, 2024 • 17min
USEA Power Sector Podcast Episode 95: NC Clean Energy Technology Center Associate Director for Policy & Markets Autumn Proudlove
In today’s USEA Power Sector Podcast, Autumn Proudlove, Associate Director for Policy and Markets with the North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center at North Carolina State University kicked off a new USEA series on performance-based regulation, or PBR, by answering questions from journalist Herman K. Trabish about the emerging national momentum toward PBR, which can change the fundamental business model of investor-owned utilities by moving their rewards for capital investments to rewards for their performance on achieving goals set by policymakers.